What Chicago-Area Researchers Are Still Trying to Learn About Long CO…

Alma Aguilar, a long Covid patient, participates in the RECOVER research study at Mile Square Health Center on March 10, 2022. (Joshua Clark / University of Illinois Chicago)

This is part two of a two-part series on long COVID. The first installment shared the stories of three long COVID patients.

The response was overwhelming when NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health officials reached out to long COVID patients within its hospitals in early August, letting people know they were looking for participants for upcoming clinical trials for possible treatment options.

Researchers heard from nearly 60 patients the first night alone, who called and left messages expressing interest. Some patients were even willing to travel from southern Illinois.

“We haven’t seen this in any of the clinical trials we’ve had,” said Dr. Nirav Shah, director of infectious disease and investigational innovation research at NorthShore. “This is a group of patients that are really desperate, but…